LABOR WILL INVEST IN A NEW LEISURE CENTRE FOR BATEMANS BAY

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $25 million to help build the Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts & Leisure Centre, ensuring the local community has a modern facility that will effectively meet the challenges of a growing region.

The facility will be used by locals of all ages, and will allow Batemans Bay families to access a modern swimming facility, including warm water therapy in their own town that can be used year-round.

The centre will occupy a prime location and also provide visitors with the facilities which support local tourism.

Labor’s $25 million investment will go towards plans for a 25 metre, 10 lane indoor heated pool, a warm water aqua therapy pool for fitness classes and with ramp access; a toddler and leisure pool suitable for learn-to-swim classes, a water play splash pad; water slides; gym and fitness areas.

In addition, plans for the centre feature an auditorium, wet and dry workspaces, soundproof dance and rehearsal studios, a recording studio and meeting rooms.

This is a facility that has been long overdue for the Batemans Bay community, and thanks to a long community campaign and the advocacy of Labor’s candidate for Gilmore Fiona Phillips, Labor is delivering.

“My first involvement in politics was when I stepped up to lead the campaign to save Nowra's community pool,” said Mrs Phillips.“I know how important these types of facilities are for local families and the wider community.”

Labor is proud to support this project and recognises the important role this centre will have in providing residents with quality leisure facilities they deserve, providing year-round swimming opportunities.

This funding is in addition to the $1 million that Labor has already announced for surf clubs in Gilmore and the $46 million Labor has committed for extra swimming lessons for kids, the Swim Smart program.

The Batemans Bay Regional Aquatic, Arts & Leisure Centre will be important to giving residents in the region access to learn to swim classes.

Labor's Swim Smart program will make sure Aussie kids have access to swimming and water safety lessons in primary school.

We want to make sure Australian children are strong swimmers and safe in the water.From the 2020 school year, Labor will fund additional swimming lessons for schools that need it, catch-up lessons for kids needing extra support, and more support for the cost of transport and pool entry fees.

Labor knows that investing in infrastructure isn’t just about building roads and rail – it’s about investing in better lives for the community, through increased access to sports and leisure facilities like this one.

Labor has made hard budget decisions to ensure our priorities are fully paid for – we will make multinationals pay their fair share and close unsustainable tax loopholes, because we want the South Coast community to have access to modern swimming facilities.

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Many Batemans Bay residents continue to campaign for a 50 metre pool, as we have had for the past 40 years. With a population of 20 000 permanent residents , we deplore the demolition of our existing 50 metre pool and it’s replacememrt with a 25 metre pool. There are at least five schools in the Batemans Bay region who access the existing pool for swimming carnivals and squad training; a 25 metre pool is not going to meet their requirements. What we as residents do NOT need, is a waterslide fun park.
Amanda Wray